Sumitomo Dainippon licenses Servier to commercialize Latuda in Australia

Japanese drug major Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma (TYO: 4506) has concluded a license agreement with the Australian subsidiary of independent French peer Servier relating to marketing, sales and distribution in Australia of Latuda (lurasidone hydrochloride), an atypical antipsychotic agent created by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma.

In March 2014, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma obtained marketing approval for Latuda from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for adult patients with schizophrenia.

“This partnership with Servier Australia for the launch and commercialization of Latuda in Australia is a further step forward to expand our Latuda business. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma plans to continue expanding the global presence of Latuda as a treatment option for patients with schizophrenia,” said the Japanese drugmaker.

Under the terms of the license agreement, Servier Australia will have the exclusive license to package, market, sell and distribute Latuda in Australia and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma will supply bulk tablets to Servier Australia. Further financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.